Despite all the question marks about IndyCar's future with the ongoing talks between the sport and Honda, the 2024 Indy 500 is making plenty of noise in ticket sales. That may be because 2021 NASCAR Cup Champion, Kyle Larson will be among the drivers trying to make the Indianapolis 500 in May.
2024 will mark 10 years since the last NASCAR driver, Kurt Busch, ran both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, North Carolina, on the same day. Busch had a great day in the Indy 500, finishing 6th, but blew an engine in his Cup car later that day to complete only 907 of the 1,100 miles in "The Double."
Larson meanwhile might have a legit chance at going out and winning both events. Securing a ride in an Arrow McLaren Chevrolet with backing from Hendrick Motorsports.
Larson's addition to the field has pushed ticket sales far higher than they were at this point for the 2023 Indy 500. Adam Stern from Sports Business Journal confirmed this week, that Indianapolis Motor Speedway has sold 10,000 tickets more at this point.
According to Stern, if the race were held today, IMS would "already have 225,000 people in attendance."
That is quite an outstanding number, and Larson hasn't even been on track with the best IndyCar has to offer yet. He will be tested, but the anticipation is high and the ticket sales for the race showcase that.
Larson will be fun to watch no doubt as he will try to beat the best double performance, which was put in by Tony Stewart, who finished 6th in the Indy 500 and 3rd in the 600 on the same day.
Larson is a former winner of the 600, so he knows what it takes to find Victory Lane at Charlotte, the big question is does he have what it takes to run the full 1,100 miles.
Larson's racing ability is uncanny, and if there would be anyone that could pull off winning both events, he might be the one to do it. One thing is for sure, you better get your Indy 500 tickets fast because they're selling pretty quickly.